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Sixth death in platinum belt in three months leaves Lonmin ‘deeply concerned’

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Thursday, 19 October 2017 14:04

News24Wire reports that platinum producer Lonmin has raised "deep concerns" following the death of employee Tholakele Dlunga this week, the sixth in the platinum belt in the North West in the past three months.

"Lonmin is deeply concerned by the recent fatal shootings across the platinum belt. The company is aware of at least six deaths and three injuries in various shootings across the region in the past three months, including three at Lonmin," company CEO Ben Magara said in a statement on Thursday. In the latest incident, an unidentified assailant shot and killed Dlunga. One of his relatives was also injured. Dlunga was one of the rock drill operators who took part in a wage strike in Marikana in 2012 that resulted in more than 44 people being killed. He subsequently became the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) Lonmin branch chairperson for health and safety. On Wednesday, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa addressed a gathering in Marikana in an effort to dispel reports that the killings could be a result of tribalism within the area. He told the union members that he had always helped workers, regardless of their culture and background. He also denied rumours that Amcu leaders and members were responsible for the death of miners, as well as some leaders of the rival NUM, in the mining town. Mathunjwa said he had gone so far as to hire private investigators to find the perpetrators because police were not doing their jobs, despite being given evidence.